Carradine, Metcalf and Young Join Cast of Shepard's A Lie of the Mind Off-Broadway

By Ernio Hernandez
09 Dec 2009

Keith Carradine and Laurie Metcalf
Keith Carradine and Laurie Metcalf
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Keith Carradine, Laurie Metcalf and original A Lie of the Mind cast member Karen Young complete the cast of The New Group's upcoming revival of that Sam Shepard drama. Ethan Hawke directs the Off-Broadway show which has set a Feb. 18, 2010 opening night.

Previews will begin Jan. 29, 2010 for a limited engagement at The Acorn Theatre in The New Group's home at Theatre Row through March 20.

Carradine (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, "Dexter"), Metcalf (Brighton Beach Memoirs, "Roseanne") and Young (The Wax, "The Sopranos") join the previously announced Josh Hamilton (Hurlyburly, Things We Want), Marin Ireland (After Miss Julie, reasons to be pretty), Deirdre O’Connell (Circle Mirror Transformation, End Days), Alessandro Nivola ("Mansfield Park," "Face/Off"), Maggie Siff (Or, "Mad Men") and Frank Whaley ("Pulp Fiction," "Swimming with Sharks").

A Lie of the Mind "centers on Jake, who is blinded by jealousy and rage, and believes he may have murdered his wife," as press notes explain. "While seeking refuge in the home of his abusive and unstable mother, his brother Frankie goes to investigate and finds himself caught in the confusing currents of revenge and longing."

Playwright Shepard (who is also known for his work as a director and actor) earned the Pulitzer Prize for Buried Child. Other plays include Curse of the Starving Class and True West. A Lie of the Mind originally opened at the Promenade Theater in 1985.

Hawke (also known for his acting and writing) previously directed Jonathan Marc Sherman’s Things We Want for The New Group and the films "Straight to One," "Chelsea Walls" and "The Hottest State."

The New Group currently presents the world premiere of Kenneth Lonergan's The Starry Messenger (through Dec. 19). Following A Lie of the Mind, the company will stage the world premiere of the new musical The Kid based on the book by Dan Savage. New Group artistic director Scott Elliott will direct the latter, which was penned by Andy Monroe (music), Jack Lechner (lyrics) and Michael Zam (book).

Tickets to the current season of The New Group at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th & 10th Ave.), are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information, visit TheNewGroup.org.